Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Wednesday was the first day Chloe had off from work at the hospice,
but was still scheduled to see Amos. It was the first time Amos would
see her in anything other than scrubs, and she was staring into her open closet, at a loss. As time ran out, she finally settled on her favorite pair of jeans–comfortable, while still somehow managing to hug the curves of her ass and hips with utter devotion–and a bright red, delicately–knit wrap sweater that hinted
less–than–demurely at the full glory of her breasts, and tied snugly around the tidy nip of her waist.
Her curls had decided to play nice today, so she left her hair down, cascading down her back in loose black spirals. Bending over, she
fluffed her roots and flipped her head back up. Looking at herself in
the mirror, she smoothed her hands over the dramatic curve of her
body from waist to hips, admired the romantic drama of her hair,
and smiled at herself. Self–satisfied, but nervous, she threw her coat
on and headed downstairs.
“Baby?” Ma looked up from the couch as Chloe passed the living room, taking in her jeans and unbound hair. “Not working tonight p>
“No. I’m going to be out for a little bit, though. I’m not sure when I’ll
be home p>
Ma’s face brightened. “Oh! Are you going to watch the kids for Robbie? I knew you’d change your mind p>
“No,” Chloe said, struggling to keep her voice level as she felt her temper rise. “I made plans with a friend p>
Ma’s smile fell away. “On Robbie and Sarah’s anniversary? You couldn’t spare a little time for your family p>
Chapter 111
“No,” Chloe gritted out. “I made these plans long before Rob asked
me to babysit p>
“With a friend? What friend? Family is more important p>
Chloe drew in a slow breath. She would not yell at her mother. For a
while after Dad died. Ma had become a passive shell. The return of her real personality–the bossy, family–obsessed matriarch–should be cause for joy. Except that, before Dad died, Ma would shout right
back at you when you shouted. Now, when Chloe raised her voice,
Ma looked like a kicked dog. It made arguing with her impossible. It
made the guilt Chloe constantly felt that much worse.
“Ma,” she said softly. “I deserve to have my own life. I hardly ever
have any free time p>
“All the more reason to go over to your brother’s. When’s the last
time you saw the kids p>
“I just saw them on Saturday when they came over.” And Thursday before that, and Tuesday as well, because whenever Sarah had to work late, Rob brought the kids over to Ma’s so he wouldn’t have to
cook dinner or look after his own children.
Ma waved that away. “They love their auntie. And Robbie could use
the help p>
What about me? she wanted to scream. Who’s going to help me? If everyone loves me so much, why am I constantly drowning and getting no fucking help?
But she kept that all tightly bottled. “Robbie can pay a babysitter. It won’t bankrupt him. I’ll see the kids again next time they’re at the house. I’m going out now. Lock the doors behind me p>
“Well, goodnight then,” Ma said archly.
Chapter
“Goodnight, Ma p>
As Chloe stepped outside, the toe of her boot connected with something small and hard. It skittered down the steps, flashing red in the porch light. At the bottom of the steps, she crouched to pick it up. It was a red glass button, fashioned like a smoothly polished ruby in a filigreed brass setting. How it had ended up on her front steps was anyone’s guess, but Chloe liked it, so she slipped it into her pocket.
As she made her way to the train station, the sun sank below the horizon. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she fished it out. She had an e–mail from HemoMatch. Concerned that something had gone wrong, she opened it immediately. It was a receipt for her full contract–a year long–paid in full and deposited into her account.
What? Chloe opened her banking app as she walked, checking her
accounts. Sure enough, she had a deposit of nearly seventy–eight
thousand dollars. Instead of sticking with the monthly payouts,
Amos had fronted her the cost of the entire contract. After she’d just
admitted to him that she needed the money.
As always seemed to be the case when it came to Amos, she was torn between two feelings. The abject relief at having that money at hand, coupled with the outrage that he would take it upon himself to do such a thing. Did he think she had no pride? Did he think he could buy her affection? She didn’t want to believe it, but who just threw seventy–eight grand away like that?
When she reached her stop, Amos was waiting for her on the platform. She marched over to him, throat tight.
“What is this?” Chloe demanded, shoving her phone in his face.
Amos caught her wrist, steadying her hand so he could look at the screen and read the invoice. His brows drew together. “The cost of your contract. Is something wrong p>
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.